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The Lower School Computer Science program provides an introduction to fundamental computing skills and concepts, with an emphasis on the creative application of these skills throughout the Lower School curriculum. Students learn basic keyboarding, editing, graphic, and file management skills in both the Windows and the Macintosh environments. Our second through fourth grade students receive weekly instruction as part of their participation in the Computer Applications curriculum. Students learn responsible and effective management of online resources. All Lower School classrooms are equipped with a set of student computing workstations to enhance their work in other curricular areas.

The Middle School Computer Science program builds on the skills and understandings developed in the Lower School program. Students in the fifth and sixth grades are enrolled in a single trimester Computer Applications course that meets three periods a week. Productivity tasks such as keyboarding, word processing, and file management are at the core of this curriculum. Students apply their skills in a variety of creative tasks. Our seventh and eighth grade Computer Applications curriculum centers on the development of skills with the core Microsoft Office applications - Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Students are enrolled in a single trimester course that meets twice weekly and is taught in partnership with the Humanities curriculum. Throughout the Middle School curriculum, an emphasis is placed on safe, effective, and thoughtful use of online and networked resources.

The Upper School Computer Science program offers courses in Visual Basic, JavaScript, Web Design, C++, and an advanced Web Development class that is new for the 2001-2002 academic year. These courses provide new opportunities for students to acquire and display a host of digital skills, with an emphasis on learning different programming environments. Students are given the opportunity to apply their new skills in collaborative projects with other members of the St. Mark's community. Other non-departmental technology-based courses include Digital Art, Advanced Photography, and Multimedia Engineering. Students are expected to follow the guidelines as set forth in the St. Mark's Acceptable Use Policy, which provides the framework for the use of technology resources at the school.